perry



(No Model.)

F. H. PERRY. GAME, APPARATUS- 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

No. 450,108. Patented Apr. 7,1891.

nms PETERS 00., mam-11mm, WASMINETON a c (No Model.) A 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. F. H. PERRY.

GAME APPARATUS.

Patented Apr. 7, 1891.

W w M W 3' Sheds-Sheet s. F PERRY.

GA PPARATUS- (No Model.)

sw mi UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEICE.

FRANCIS H. PERRY, OF FISHKILTJ, NElV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GERRY WALKER, OF SAME PLACE.

GAIVlE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,108, dated April '7, 1891.

Application filed February 6, 1890.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS II. PERRY, of Fishkill, county of Dutchess, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of

which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Myinvention relates to games and toys, and has for its object the production or provision of a simple, cheap, compact, and portable apparatus which may be used indoor or out of doors in a game which will amuse and interest as well as exercise the muscles of the body, which apparatus may be used by one in practice or in contests of skill by any number of persons.

To these ends my improvements include a new and useful board or apparatus and certain novel and useful arrangements or combinations of parts therein, all of which will be herein first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front view or elevation, Fig. 2 a central vertical section and elevation, and Fig. 3 arear view, of a game apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention and involving my improvements, the same being shown in position for use. Fig. at is a horizontal section, Fig. 5 a vertical section and elevation on a plane through on w of Fig. 6, and Fig. 6 is a rear view, of a fragment, showing one of the screens raised, the last three figures being on a scale larger than the first three. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a fragment ona scale larger than any of the previous figures, showing one of the screens held down by the spring-catch and the other released and elevated by the counter-balance.

In all the figures like letters of reference wherever they occur indicate corresponding parts.

A is the main part, which may be of wood or other suitable material, and on which the other parts are mounted. It may be of any desired size, and is made as light as is consistent with its desired strength and dura- Serial No. 339,447 (No model.)

'bility. Through this main part or board is an aperture B, the same being open when a cast is to be made or when an unsuccessful cast is made, but to be automatically closed by one or another screen whenever a successful hit is made, as will be hereinafter explained. The part A is sustained at a suitable height and inclination upon two supports, each composed of two parts 0 and D, hinged together at top, so that they may be folded together or extended and provided with hooks or braces E, by which they may be locked or, braced in proper place. The partsO are held against the back of the board A by cleats O on each side, which permit the 6: board to be raised or lowered or to slide up and down. F is any form of spring-latch for temporarily holding the board at anyheight to which it may be adjusted. This latch engages with the part 0 in a manner which will be readily understood. G G are two screens, either-one of which will screen the opening B. While only two screens are shown, it should be understood that a greater or lesser number may be employed, if desired. These screens move in vertical guides H H, and they may be made of wood or paper. Attached to each screen are cords a a, running over pulleys b b and supplied with weights (or equivalent springs) for raising the screens at the proper instant. The weights are represented at 0'0, and .in order that they may not interfere with each other in their various movements they are located in pockets (Z d, separated from each other. 8 5

H H are spring-pieces or spring-actuated pieces directly or indirectly attached at one end to the board A at the back, one for each screen, and these are supplied each with a catch 6 for engagementwith the screen. The 9 free ends of these spring-pieces project a little beyond the margin of the opening B, so that they may be seen and reached through the opening, and the projecting parts are preferably located near the lower corners of the opening, but of course might be otherwise disposed if desired.

When the game is to be played, a missile, as a ball or bag filled with suitable material, or other object, is projected toward the opening B. If it strikes one of the projecting springvpieces II, it will force the spring back far enough to enable the projection c to move from over the screen, and thus release the screen to which it was applied,and the screen will immediately cover the opening, visibly indicating a hit or count for the player. The two screens are arranged at suitable distance from each other, so that the spring and spring-piece operating in connection with the screen nearest the face of the board will not interfere with the free movements of the other screen.

Counters, as I I, are supplied upon the face of the board, by which the players can keep a record of the number of successful throws or casts] The missile should not be large enough to strike both springs at the same time, and the smaller the missile the greater skill and accuracy required upon the part of the player.

To distinguish between the screens, they are usually painted or printed with different designs, and they may have different values or may count more for one than the other in the game, Usually the body of a grotesque figure is applied on the face of the board, the screens as they rise supplying one or another head; but the marking may be ofany desired character.

K ,is a simple stop which arrests the screens at the proper height, and L is a cleat which prevents them from being forced down too far or out of their proper places. In Fig. 6 springs ff perform the same offices as the weights 0 0, before referred to. Rubber springs or elastic cords-might be used in place of 7 these.

The apparatuswhen thus constructed is found to admirably answer the purpose or object of the invention previously set forth.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new herein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a game apparatus of the character herein set forth, the combination, with the main board, perforated as explained and carrying the movable screens, with means for holding and releasing the same, of the legs or props hinged as explained and secured upon the back of the board by asliding joint and combined with hooks or braces and spring-catches, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a game apparatus of the character herein set forth, the combination, with the main board, perforated as explained, of the two independent screens for covering the perforation, the spring-pieces projecting beyond the lower margin and located on opposite sides of the perforation and provided each with a projection for engaging the top of one of the screens and for holding the 7 same down, and the weights or equivalent. springs for raising a screen when it is re leased, substantially as shown and described.

3. The herein-described game apparatus, composed of the main board, perforated as explained and adjustably mounted upon its support,the two independent movable screens,

each sliding in grooves at the backof the FRANCIS II. PERRY.

Witnesses:

R. J. OoUcHLrN, Wonrn Oseooi). 

